The government of Mozambique is carrying out studies in order to return textile factory Textáfrica o operation, located in the provincial capital of Manica, in central Mozambique, the provincial governor said in Chimoio.

Governor Alberto Mondlane, cited by Mozambican daily newspaper Diário de Moçambique published in the city of Beira, said the central government was examining the revival of textile production in that region of the country.

The newspaper also reported the governor was cautious about not raising expectations for this project, as it is still at an embryonic stage.

Following shutdown of two textile mills, Textáfrica and Empresa Moçambicana de Malhas (EMMA), both of the same Portuguese group, cotton cropping experienced a relative reduction in that part of the country, and the mills’ failure followed the dismissal of over 3,000 employees.

In June 2006 Mozambican daily newspaper Notícias, citing the Minister of Industry and Trade, Antonio Fernando, reported negotiations were underway with some foreign investors seeking to put Textáfrica back in operation, at the same time as negotiations to relaunch Texmoque, a textile company based in the city of Nampula, were also underway. (macauhub/MZ)